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Headley met American on a tourist visa for 9 years

December 28, 2009 17:01 IST

In a new twist to the Headleycase, it now turns out that the US national arrested forplotting terror strikes in India was in touch with anotherAmerican who has been living in India on a tourist visafor nine years and running a massage parlour.

During the probe by the National Investigation Agency, ithas emerged that Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror suspect David Headley got in touch with the American and his female companion through hisMoroccan girlfriend in Manali, Home Ministry officials said.

The American was later spotted in Goa. A scrutiny of histravel documents surprised the security officials who foundthat he has been living in India on a tourist visa for thelast nine years."He has been doing everything--setting up business,running a massage parlour, tourist centre etc," they said.

The couple has been interrogated by the National Investigative Agency which hasrecorded their statement. The American and his companionadmitted to knowing the Moroccan woman, who according to thesecurity agencies, was in Manali doing reconnaissance of aJewish centre.

49-year-old Headley was arrested in Octoberfor plotting terror strikes in India at the behest ofPakistan-based Lashker-e-Tayiba. Headley has been chargesheeted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for being part of the criminal conspiracybehind the 26/11 in Mumbai attacks.

Among his targets were the NationalDefenceCollege inDelhi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters in Nagpur and some film studios andBhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.